Dont worry, I did not trade the trac. Traded in my wifes 02 Explorer in on an 06 Fusion SE V6. I'll post some pics when I get it from the dealer later today. It arrived there yesterday and they have not cleaned it up yet.
I read they are selling like crazy in Europe. I've seen quite a few around here in L.A. but they don't stand out that much in the sea of Hondas. Personally I like them.
How much of the Fusion's great looks is owed to Mazda (or visa-versa)? Does the frame/chassis have a significant effect on how the body will look?
I would say no. A frame/chassis isn't seen. The fenders, lights, interior, and wheels dictate the looks of a vehicle. Then again, a chassis with a design like a Focus would not loook good under a car like a 300C.
An interesting groups of cars on the same chassis is the Ford Escort, Mercury Tracer, Mazda Protege, Mazda 323, Mazda MX-3, and Mercury Capri. Though the 323 over the years were both the "BF" and "BG" chassis, both are essentially the Mazda "3" chassis. The MX-3 was a cross between the BF and BG chassis since the underhood measurements would fit a V6, yet the BF 323 couldn't. The Escort and Tracer were on the BG chassis and the Capri was completely a BF chassis. Looking at all those vehicles side by side, they looked totally different, but were essentially the same car. Many parts are interchangable.
